Kings Mountain wins emotional battle with Huss

By Phillip Gardner

Published: Friday, August 23, 2013 at 11:29 PM.

KINGS MOUNTAIN — Kings Mountain’s offense heated up in the second half, Hunter Huss’ star running back was removed from the game late and the Mountaineers survived a wild finish to win on an emotional night at John Gamble Stadium.

Kings Mountain scored on its first three drives of the second half to rally for a 28-14 home win in a prep football season opener Friday.

“We just really stepped up in the second half and came out here and played hard,” said junior quarterback Brandon Bell, who accounted for all four KM touchdowns. “We really wanted to win this game for one person, Jacob Miller, who got in a car wreck. We wanted to give it all for him and just came out here and did our thing in the second half.”

Miller, a senior who started on varsity the past two seasons, joined the team on the sideline and at midfield for the coin flip but will be unable to play this season. His wreck during the summer resulted in a neck injury, but Kings Mountain coach Greg Lloyd said doctors expect a full recovery.

It was a difficult night in another way for Lloyd, whose father died in June. His father had attended all but one of his games as a player or coach since the second grade.

“It was an emotional game for us,” Lloyd said. “First game of the year, but there was a lot riding on it, we thought, looking at our schedule.”

Bell passed for 222 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for another to lead a 302-yard offensive night for the Mountaineers. Khalil Hopper, Keeneh Dimetros and Jake Merchant hauled in the touchdown passes. Tico Crocker also caught four passes for 102 yards and freshman Darian McClain rushed for 60 yards for the Mountaineers, who trailed 14-7 at the half.

KINGS MOUNTAIN — Kings Mountain’s offense heated up in the second half, Hunter Huss’ star running back was removed from the game late and the Mountaineers survived a wild finish to win on an emotional night at John Gamble Stadium.

Kings Mountain scored on its first three drives of the second half to rally for a 28-14 home win in a prep football season opener Friday.

“We just really stepped up in the second half and came out here and played hard,” said junior quarterback Brandon Bell, who accounted for all four KM touchdowns. “We really wanted to win this game for one person, Jacob Miller, who got in a car wreck. We wanted to give it all for him and just came out here and did our thing in the second half.”

Miller, a senior who started on varsity the past two seasons, joined the team on the sideline and at midfield for the coin flip but will be unable to play this season. His wreck during the summer resulted in a neck injury, but Kings Mountain coach Greg Lloyd said doctors expect a full recovery.

It was a difficult night in another way for Lloyd, whose father died in June. His father had attended all but one of his games as a player or coach since the second grade.

“It was an emotional game for us,” Lloyd said. “First game of the year, but there was a lot riding on it, we thought, looking at our schedule.”

Bell passed for 222 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for another to lead a 302-yard offensive night for the Mountaineers. Khalil Hopper, Keeneh Dimetros and Jake Merchant hauled in the touchdown passes. Tico Crocker also caught four passes for 102 yards and freshman Darian McClain rushed for 60 yards for the Mountaineers, who trailed 14-7 at the half.

The second half began with Kings Mountain making a game-turning play: a tipped pass at the line of scrimmage that resulted in an interception by Elijah Whitaker. Kings Mountain covered 40 yards in four plays to knot the score.

“The play of the game was probably the tipped pass,” Lloyd said. “That turned the momentum and we scored on that drive to tie the game up.”

The game didn’t end until after an eventful final four minutes that saw a Hunter Huss touchdown wiped off the board because running back Kerrion Moore lowered his head and led with the crown of his helmet one yard before he reached the end zone.

Moore, a senior who committed to Duke in May, was also tossed from the game because of the play, but Hunter Huss coach Steve Gardner wasn’t sure whether Moore was disqualified or ejected. An ejection would require Moore to sit out next week’s home game against Burns.

Whatever the ruling, it wasn’t the only call that bothered the Huskies. Gardner said he intended to call NCHSAA officials supervisor Mark Dreibelbis first thing Saturday morning to complain about one particular official.

“I’m not trying to take anything away from Kings Mountain,” Gardner said. “Kings Mountain played a great ballgame, they won the ballgame, but when you get my kids upset like that to where they can’t concentrate and they can’t do what they’re supposed to do because of your calls, then something’s got to change.”

Moore, who scored four touchdowns in three different ways in a win against the Mountaineers last season, rushed for 116 yards and a touchdown this time. Andrew Jordan completed 13 of 23 passes for 142 yards, including a 20-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Ford.

Kings Mountain, which won on opening night for the sixth straight season, travels to East Gaston next week. Hunter Huss faces its second straight opponent from Cleveland County as its hosts Burns next week.